UPF hosts The Guild universities to address sustainability policies
During the meeting, the priorities of UPF in sustainability and the Planetary Wellbeing initiative, among other proposals, were presented to the members of the alliance.
The Ciutadella Campus has hosted this week the meeting on sustainability of European universities participating in The Guild. About twenty and sustainability experts from universities gathered, both in-person and virtually, to share priorities and initiatives from different institutions during Monday and Tuesday of this week.
The aim of the meeting was to exchange the green policies that members of The Guild are promoting at their own universities to address climate change and achieve sustainability. The alliance has a presence in over fifteen countries, with 22 affiliated universities and research centres.
Day 2⃣ of our sustainability group meeting in Barcelona.
— The Guild (@guildeu) February 20, 2024
We wrap up two days of intense discussions, mutual learning sessions and many insightful takeaways!
👏 Many thanks to @UPFBarcelona for the warm welcome! pic.twitter.com/aTOBfBHDKZ
Throughout the week, members of The Guild participated in debates and presentations on European Union sustainability policies, specifically addressing green policies related to education, research, and university campuses in various discussion and working groups.
UPF Rector, Laia de Nadal, participated in the opening of the event to welcome alliance participants and emphasize the importance of sustainability policies: "Now in Catalonia, we have restrictions due to drought," she informed the participants, "and it is an example of the importance of taking initiative in the face of these challenges."
Les polítiques de Sostenibilitat, més enllà de les polítiques verdes
From UPF, the Vice-Rector for Social Commitment and Sustainability, Eva Pujadas, and technicians from UPF Sustainable and the International Relations Service also participated. During Monday's session, Pujadas offered a presentation on various UPF initiatives: the Environmental Sustainability Plan 2021-2024, policies shared with the Consell Interuniversitari de Catalunya and the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities, the commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, the Planetary Wellbeing initiative, and various academic activities such as master's and minors, among others.
Beyond this, she also outlined some key elements of the upcoming Sustainability Plan 2025-2028, which will address environmental sustainability policies but will also include initiatives related to culture, sports, equality, health, solidarity, and focused on students: "Sustainability must have an impact on our communities," she concluded.